Monday, April 25, 2011

Book 7 of 2011 -- The Future of Faith

In this book Cox covers some of the same territory as Phyllis Tickle does in The Great Emergence (see entry below) but does it far better in my opinion.

Cox suggests, as have others, that Christianity is entering a new age, the Age of the Spirit. However, where some use this in a Trinitarian way (following on from the Age of God and the Age of Jesus) Cox sees it as a time when the focus on creeds and othodoxy will give way to a renewed focus on faith. Cox's paradigm starts with the early church in an AGe of Faith which gives way by the time of Constantine to an Age of Belief. Cox also suggests that this development was a huge negative. Cox is suggesting that Christianity is not about creeds or believing the right propositions but is about faith as trust or confidence. (note that Marcus Borg also highlights the importance of this definition of faith within the Emergent church in The Heart of Christianity)

I liked this book. I liked how Cox makes his arguement. I am not as convinced that the North American church is as far along in the change as he seems to suggest but I see it as a real way forward. ANd I found, as I so often do in books in this topic area, that he was decribing where I feel at home. But of course as a person whose theology has always been far more pneumocentric than theo- or christocentric it only makes sense that I would feel at home in an Age of the Spirit.

14 comments:

It has always been a age of spirit since Christ was glorified, they who accept his gift of living water are they who live in spirit, one must wonder, have some been decieved into a state of "happy denial' rather than state of spirituality, im sure some of those who dont approach the scripture with belief and faith and with a strive to understand that Jesus is the Christ, will they have a difficult time to understand and embrace the scriptures? will they often become offended by them,will they often become confused and become more subject to fables. can some books be a cup of poison? just something to concern our hearts with.

You should read the book. COx lays out the different understanding of early church history that has been emerging recently (particularly around issues such as the apostolic succession and the question of heterodoxy vs. uniformity) and ties it to some of the changes he sees in the church today. AS well his differentiation between faith and creedal belief in all ages is compelling.

regardless of all these historical intellectual viewpoints of thing of man w,hat truly matters is if it is a reflection of the gospel of Christ in its notions of spiriuality, as it is his ongoing ministry in which we share in, or a intellectual rejection of the fundamentals of Christianity in a fog of criticism and psuedo-intellectual wisdom of men.

but speaking of ages of spirit, as in the spirit given to men and Gods law written on their heart too at this time(?), i would considered Christs glorification as the entry into the age which may be defined by some as the "age of spirit" , which may lead one to wonder is this what he meant by this age/generation will not pass until all things have been fulfilled (all as in the prophecies of the risen Christ)

but correct me if im wrong in relation to his teachings of his coming, i havent fully read revelation yet.

(i wish i could edit, in that last post i dont mean to imply he used teh word "age", but a pondering on 4 stages, before noah, before Christ birth, during his time on earth, and after his ascension as "generations" or "ages"....just a ponder)

it is a respectful discussion. not all opinions are valid, if one has to reject the word of God to put together a book on spirituality then the spiritual notions may not be of God, I believe there is spiritually harmful teachings in the world, dressing up deceptions doesnt make it valid. If a book regarding spirituality rejects Christs divinity and does not reconize him as Messiah and furthurmore purposely puts forth that notion to manuever room in order to spin up fables, its simply invalid. some fables put forth false God-incarnates, look at the roots of rastafarism.Gord, could that book reflect the divnity issues i brought up or does the spiritual notions in the book built on the cornerstone of the Word and reflect the words of Christ and the Christian bible?

ANd it may intyerest you to know that not every discussisona of faith has to touch on your pet issue. In fact many of them don't. ANd in fact your commment has nothing to do with the content of the book.

When it is obvious that once again the discussion is going to go in circles then why should it continue. ANd you still have yet to do the first part of respectful--acknowledge that people can have a different (even widely different) than yours and it is still valid.

Your response to this post has been repeatedly marked by your refusalto see beyind your theological and anti-intellectual/anti-scholastic biases. I recommend yuou to read the book. |I do so suspecting that you will agree with some of it (the discussion of apostolic succession and hierarchical power) and disagree strongly with some of it. But it is my belief that you have to read things with which you disagree in order to grow. And I will not further this thread about the book unless you read it. It is impossible to discuss a book when only one party has actually read it and the other is reacting to comments rather than the actual text.

there are many viewpoints which are not the same as mind that i would consider valid, and at times correcting of mine, which, in pursuit of turth, i welcome, it does not offend me.. i also reconcize that there are many that are not valid in respect to the Christian gospels are you able to respectfully acknowledge that? and i would argue that some 'wisdom of man' in peticular those that dismiss the 'wisdom of God' are the anti-intellectual/anti-scholastic/anti-Christian and anti-spiritual. Gord, i thought it was obvious the discussion lead away from this book in peticular, i have been speaking in general about books regarding spirituality in which they author may have "gone it alone" btw you selected some of my posts to display and some you chose not to display, what does your intellectual scholarship say about censorship

STephen,\if you keep harping on one topic that you knopw we do not, and wwwill not, agree on then we wwill have to stop discussing. (again) ANd I have yet to see you accept the validity of any point I make with which you disagree. In poast you have called me a liar. YUou have said openly I am not fit to be in ministry. All because we interpret Scripture and faith differently. You can see why I am hesitant to leave ANY of your comments up given that our past interactions have been totally lacking of respect on your part.